Fiji and Samoa Join World Rugby's Council

World Rugby has welcomed Fiji and Samoa onto an
expanded council, while Burkina Faso and Lebanon have been
accepted as associate members.

With a new governance model paving the way for
wider representation on World Rugby’s council, the unions will
take their place at the May 2019 annual meeting having
successfully achieved the required good governance criteria as
stipulated within the Bye Laws in line with governance reform
launched in November 2015.

Fiji and Samoa follow Georgia, Romania and USA
onto the expanded council and will act as an inspiration for other
unions aspiring to take a seat at council with a clear and
transparent pathway for all now operational.

World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont, said, "This is an historic day for World Rugby and the
Pacific Islands, and a reflection of the importance and success of
the transformational governance reforms made by this organisation
and the unions. We are delighted to be welcoming Fiji and Samoa
to the council, two unions who have contributed so much to the game.
The Pacific Islands are unique, immersed in rugby, and I know that
the unions will bring excellent insights and make strong
contributions on council. This shows that the model is in place, the
pathway is in place and the door is open to other unions who
aspire to have a seat on council. We encourage all unions to take
inspiration from Fiji and Samoa, review their governance and
strive to achieve the required criteria. World Rugby is committed to the sustainable
growth of the sport set against a backdrop of strong governance,
and we will continue to work with our unions to ensure that they
have all the necessary support to achieve and maintain the
necessary criteria."

The council also approved the recommendation of the
Executive and Regional Committees to accept Burkina Faso and
Lebanon as associate members of World Rugby having met the
required associate member criteria. There
are now 123 national unions in membership of World Rugby.

The council also welcomed four new members in
Cameron Clyne (Australia), Philip Orr (Ireland), Christina Flores
(Rugby Americas North), Claudia Betancur (Sudamerica Rugby) and
Suzanna Vecci (Italy). The council now stands at 49 members, of
whom 14 are women.

Mark Alexander (South
Africa) has been elected onto the World Rugby Executive Committee, replacing the
seat vacated by Pat Whelan (Ireland), who stood down earlier this
year.

Meanwhile, conditional sanctioning was granted
for the Global Rapid Rugby tournament subject to approval from
participating unions. The competition aims to further rugby’s
spread across the Asia-Pacific area, providing high performance
competition for emerging nations.